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Hazardous Waste Dashboard Help
Overview
A dashboard is a data interface designed for easy reading. It allows multiple metrics to be monitored and displayed at a summary level, while offering the supporting data at a lower or more granular level. The dashboards found on the Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) website are specialized to track both facility and agency performance as they relate to compliance with and enforcement of environmental standards. The dashboards in ECHO include charts, tables and links to additional information. The data on the dashboards is presented as a national view or by state or territory. The dashboards can be tailored by users based on their preferences. For example, a user can select each report to show only "large" facilities. The dashboards support EPA's transparency efforts.
Data for the five previous fiscal years are presented, so that we are always showing a five-year trend. The fiscal year refers to the federal fiscal year, which is from October 1 to September 30. Beginning with fiscal year 2011, the dashboards present data that was captured from EPA's data systems and frozen so that it could not be changed (any state comments regarding frozen data are posted on ECHO). For years that we do not have frozen data, we use current production data. Please note that production data is subject to change as EPA's data systems are updated. We plan to eventually use frozen data for the four previous fiscal years; the current year will always be production data.
Our hope for the dashboards is that they enable an iterative approach and evolve as users engage and identify their needs and our compliance and enforcement programs change in response to new sources of data, monitoring technologies, and compliance tracking methods.
For more information about the hazardous waste program, see "Common Questions" listed below each dashboard.
- Activity Dashboard - The Activity Dashboard reflects counts of activities and the dollar value of penalties assessed. Each report shows multiple years of data to provide context either at the national level or within a state. The data is graphed and shown as an aggregate count with the list of facilities that compose the aggregate available when a user clicks on the graph.
- Performance Dashboard - The Performance Dashboard reflects activities as rates either based on the number of facilities within a specified universe (e.g., large quantity generators) or the total number of the activity conducted. Each report provides a national average and some provide a national goal, where appropriate, to provide context.
- Data Source - The EPA system RCRAInfo is the source of all the data. It is the national database of record for compliance and enforcement activities conducted under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act subtitle C. It is used by state and local environmental agencies and EPA
Activity Dashboard
The dashboards are organized in a structure logical to compliance and enforcement programs. Select the "view more" pulldown at the top of each dashboard section to see a list of additional charts. Access chart drilldowns by clicking on the bars of each chart (drilldowns are currently available for most charts).
Note: To print the entire activity dashboard, you can press the Alt and Print Screen (PrtScn) Exit keys on your keyboard while on the dashboard page. This will copy an image of the selected window to your computer's clipboard, which you can then paste into word processor or image software to print. Print individual components of the dashboard by clicking the “Print” link below each chart.
Facilities Regulated
| Report Title | Dashboard Shows |
|---|---|
| Facilities Regulated | Pie chart showing the number of:
|
Technical Information
RCRA Subtitle C handlers tracked for compliance and enforcement purposes are:
- Hazardous waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs)
- Generators of hazardous waste (classified by size)
- Other hazardous waste handlers, such as transporters of hazardous waste.
EPA has established minimum data requirements requiring authorized states, territories, District of Columbia, and EPA regional offices to track and report handler universes and activities on all facilities, regardless of size. For more details on required data, see the summary of compliance and enforcement data entry requirements in ECHO.
"Active" site designation is an indication based on the information currently in RCRAInfo that there may be an activity on a site that could be subject to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Subtitle C or to a state's authorized hazardous waste program. This designation has no legal significance and does not constitute a legally enforceable or binding determination about the status of a particular site or the obligations of an owner or operator.
Establishing a definitive regulated universe of facilities under the RCRA program is difficult and dependent on a number of factors. No regulatory requirements mandate that facilities other than Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities that once handled hazardous waste notify that they have ceased waste management activities, or that the amount of waste they handle has changed. Because the quality of the universe information varies, it is not appropriate to compare one state's data with another without knowing the accuracy of the data and details of the compliance monitoring program in each state. Although these numbers represent the active universe in the national database, RCRAInfo, the states may have more current information. Links to state environmental agency web sites may be found in the "Other Resources" box below each state dashboard.
Inspections
This section displays information about compliance monitoring activities at regulated facilities. On-site inspections, along with reviews of any information EPA or states require to be submitted, help EPA and states ensure that facilities obey environmental laws/regulations.
| Report Title | Dashboard Shows |
|---|---|
| Facilities Inspected by State and EPA | Bar chart displaying the count of facilities with one or more inspections during the review period, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
| Inspection Coverage | Bar chart displaying the percentage of facilities inspected by universe (operating TSDFs, active LQGs, active SQGs, and other active sites), with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. The "Fiscal Year" pull-down produces separate charts for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
| Facilities Inspected by Facility Type | Count of facilities inspected by universe (All, Active LQG, Active Transporter, Non-Notifier, Other Active), with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. The "Fiscal Year" pull-down produces separate charts for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
| Number of Inspections by State and EPA | Stacked Bar chart displaying the number of inspections during the review year. Each stacked bar breaks out inspections by Lead Agency (State or EPA). Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
Technical Information
EPA and states consider several factors in determining what facilities to inspect, such as facility size, potential for environmental harm, citizen tips, geographic initiatives, statutory requirements, protection of sensitive ecosystems, demographics, industry type, and violation history. On-site inspections are counted in the above charts. On-site inspections include the following RCRAInfo data system evaluation types:
- CAC - Corrective Action Compliance Evaluation
- CDI - Case Development Inspection
- CEI - Compliance Evaluation Inspection
- CSE - Compliance Schedule Evaluation
- FCI - Focused Compliance Inspection
- GME - Groundwater Monitoring Evaluation
- OAM - Operation and Maintenance Inspection
Violations
This section displays information about violations of environmental regulations noted at regulated facilities.
| Report Title | Dashboard Shows |
|---|---|
| Facilities with New Violations in Fiscal Year | Bar chart displaying the count of facilities with new violations during the review period, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
| Facilities with Violations | Bar chart displaying the count of total facilities with violations during the review period, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
Technical Information
A violation at a facility means the facility has been noted as out of compliance with an environmental requirement set forth by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and its respective regulations. EPA learns of violations by several means, including regular reporting by the regulated facilities and EPA or state inspections. A violation may indicate that the facility released excessive pollutants, that a hazardous waste handling requirement was not met, or that a facility failed to submit a required report.
Violation, noncompliance, significant noncompliance, high priority violation, and serious violator are all terms used by the ECHO site to describe the facility status in regard to compliance with the law. In many cases, these terms reflect determinations made by EPA or states when conducting inspections or reviewing facility self-reports. These determinations assist the government in tracking resolution of violations through the enforcement process and do not necessarily represent a final adjudication by a judicial or administrative body. In such cases, these characterizations should be considered alleged violations.
Serious Violators
This section displays information about serious violations of environmental regulations determined at regulated facilities.
| Report Title | Dashboard Shows |
|---|---|
| Facilities with New Significant Noncompliance | Bar chart displaying the number of sites newly designated as being in SNC during the review period, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
Technical Information
The RCRA program uses the term Significant Noncompliance (SNC) to indicate facilities that have caused actual exposure or a substantial likelihood of exposure to hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents; are chronic or recalcitrant violators; or deviate substantially from the terms of a permit, order, agreement or from RCRA statutory or regulatory requirements. A determination to classify a site as a SNC is made using the guidelines set forth in the December 2003 Hazardous Waste Civil Enforcement Response Policy. The SNC is addressed by EPA/State through formal enforcement that mandates compliance and initiates an administrative or civil action that results in an enforceable agreement or order and imposes sanctions. Violations remain open in RCRAInfo until the facility returns to full physical compliance with the regulatory and/or statutory requirements.
Violation, noncompliance, significant noncompliance, and high priority violation are all terms used by the ECHO site to describe the facility status in regard to compliance with the law. In many cases, these terms reflect determinations made by EPA or states when conducting inspections or reviewing facility self-reports. These determinations assist the government in tracking resolution of violations through the enforcement process and do not necessarily represent a final adjudication by a judicial or administrative body. In such cases, these characterizations should be considered alleged violations.
Enforcement Actions
This section displays information about EPA and state enforcement activity at regulated facilities.
| Report Title | Dashboard Shows |
|---|---|
| Facilities with Enforcement Actions | Bar chart displaying the total number of facilities that received one or more enforcement actions during the review year. Four bars are displayed for each fiscal year: EPA formal enforcement actions, state formal enforcement actions, EPA informal enforcement actions, state informal enforcement actions. Data is displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
| Facilities with Formal Enforcement Actions | Bar chart displaying the total number of facilities that received one or more formal enforcement actions during the review year. "Lead Agency" split is identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
| Number of Formal Enforcement Actions | Stacked bar chart displaying the total number of formal enforcement actions during the review year. Each stacked bar breaks out formal enforcement actions assessed by Lead Agency (State or EPA). Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
| Facilities with Informal Enforcement Actions | Bar chart displaying the total number of facilities that received one or more informal enforcement actions during the review year. "Lead Agency" split is identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
| Number of Informal Enforcement Actions | Stacked Bar chart displaying the total number of informal enforcement actions during the review year. Each stacked bar break-outs informal enforcement actions assessed by Lead Agency (State or EPA). Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
Technical Information
For formal enforcement actions, the number of facilities shown on the charts may not match the number of facilities listed in the drilldowns (the list of facilities behind the numbers). Enforcement actions considered "enforcement sensitive" (in development) are counted on the charts; however, they are not listed in the drilldowns.
If violations are detected during inspections or are reported to the government by regulated facilities, several paths may be taken to return a facility to compliance. In some situations, violations are minor. Many of these violations are corrected by the facility without the need for an enforcement action. Other violations may require an "informal" notice to the facility that an enforcement proceeding may occur if the violation is not quickly resolved. More serious or continuing violations that are not corrected quickly by the facility may warrant formal enforcement actions. This could include administrative orders, administrative penalty orders, or civil judicial cases filed in federal court.
RCRAInfo action types 120 through 199 are included in above informal enforcement action charts.
- 120 - Written Informal
- 190 - Combination Informal
RCRAInfo action types 200-239, 250-339, and 350-799 are included in above formal enforcement action charts.
- 210 - Initial 3008(a) Compliance Order
- 220 - Initial Imminent and Substantial Endangerment Order
- 230 - Initial Monitoring, Analysis, Test Order
- 250 - Field Citation
- 310 - Final 3008(a) Compliance Order
- 320 - Final Imminent Hazard Order
- 330 - Final Monitoring, Analysis, Test Order
- 380 - Super CA/FO
- 510 - Initial Civil Judicial Action for Compliance and/or Monetary Penalty
- 520 - Initial Civil Action for Imminent and Substantial Endangerment
- 530 - Initial Judicial Action for Corrective Action
- 610 - Final Civil Judicial Action for Compliance and/or Monetary Penalty
- 620 - Final Civil Action for Imminent and Substantial Endangerment
- 630 - Final Civil Judicial Action for Interim Corrective Action
Note: The types of formal and informal actions listed above are nationally defined by EPA. Other actions within the number series are defined and maintained by EPA regions or state agencies.
Penalties
This section displays information about penalties at regulated facilities that had alleged violations.
| Report Title | Dashboard Shows |
|---|---|
| Total Penalties Assessed | Stacked Bar chart displaying the total dollar amount of final penalties assessed during the review year. Each stacked bar break-outs penalties assessed by Lead Agency (State or EPA). Penalty amounts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
Technical Information
Civil administrative and judicial actions often end with a settlement, an agreed upon resolution to an enforcement case. Settlements in civil administrative actions are often in the form of Consent Agreements/Final Orders. Settlements in civil judicial actions are generally embodied in Consent Decrees, signed by all parties to the action and filed in the appropriate court. In the settlements, EPA or the state often requires injunctive relief (actions needed to return to compliance and correct environmental damage) and the payment of penalties. Settlements also may include Supplemental Environmental Projects, environmentally beneficial projects that a defendant/respondent agrees to undertake in settlement of an enforcement action, but which the defendant/respondent is not otherwise legally required to perform.
Penalty charts reflect the total dollar amount of final monetary penalties and supplemental environmental project credits (RCRAInfo penalty types FMP and SCR) for formal enforcement actions with RCRAInfo action types 200-239, 250-339, and 350-799.
- 210 - Initial 3008(a) Compliance Order
- 220 - Initial Imminent and Substantial Endangerment Order
- 230 - Initial Monitoring, Analysis, Test Order
- 250 - Field Citation
- 310 - Final 3008(a) Compliance Order
- 320 - Final Imminent Hazard Order
- 330 - Final Monitoring, Analysis, Test Order
- 380 - Super CA/FO
- 510 - Initial Civil Judicial Action for Compliance and/or Monetary Penalty
- 520 - Initial Civil Action for Imminent and Substantial Endangerment
- 530 - Initial Judicial Action for Corrective Action
- 610 - Final Civil Judicial Action for Compliance and/or Monetary Penalty
- 620 - Final Civil Action for Imminent and Substantial Endangerment
- 630 - Final Civil Judicial Action for Interim Corrective Action
Note: The types of formal and informal actions listed above are nationally defined by EPA. Other actions within the number series are defined and maintained by EPA regions or state agencies.
Performance Dashboard
Note on facility types: RCRA facilities have been categorized for purposes of these dashboards as "All", "Large", and "Other". The "All" charts include all active facilities regulated under RCRA Subtitle C that are included in RCRAInfo. The "Large" charts include operating Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs) and active Large Quantity Generators (LQGs). The "Other" charts include all other facilities [active Small Quantity Generators (SQGs), active Conditionally-Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQGs), active transporters, and others].
The dashboards are organized in a structure logical to compliance and enforcement programs. Select the "view more" pulldown at the top of each dashboard section to see a list of additional charts. Access chart drilldowns by clicking on the bars of each chart (drilldowns are currently available for most charts).
Note: To print the entire performance dashboard, you can press the Alt and Print Screen (PrtScn) Exit keys on your keyboard while on the dashboard page. This will copy an image of the selected window to your computer's clipboard, which you can then paste into word processor or image software to print. Print individual components of the dashboard by clicking the “Print” link below each chart.
Facilities Regulated
This section displays information about the types of facilities that are regulated by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Subtitle C (hazardous waste) program.
| Report Title | Dashboard Shows |
|---|---|
| Facilities Regulated | Pie chart showing the number of:
|
Technical Information
RCRA Subtitle C handlers tracked for compliance and enforcement purposes are:
- Hazardous waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities (TSDFs)
- Generators of hazardous waste (classified by size)
- Other hazardous waste handlers, such as transporters of hazardous waste.
EPA has established minimum data requirements requiring authorized states, territories, District of Columbia, and EPA regional offices to track and report handler universes and activities on all facilities, regardless of size. For more details on required data, see the summary of compliance and enforcement data entry requirements in ECHO.
Due to the fluent nature of RCRA facility universes, the Biennial Report LQG universe may be used in measuring inspection coverage of facilities. Under the RCRA statute, no regulatory requirements mandate that sites that once handled hazardous waste notify that they have ceased waste management activities. As a result, RCRAInfo contains all regulated sites that at one point managed hazardous waste. The database includes both active sites and those that are no longer managing hazardous waste and/or are permanently closed. Including all sites assists EPA and the public in determining prior uses of land.
"Active" site designation is an indication based on the information currently in RCRAInfo that there may be an activity on a site that could be subject to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Subtitle C or to a state's authorized hazardous waste program. This designation has no legal significance and does not constitute a legally enforceable or binding determination about the status of a particular site or the obligations of an owner or operator.
Establishing a definitive regulated universe of facilities under the RCRA program is difficult and dependent on a number of factors. No regulatory requirements mandate that facilities other than Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities that once handled hazardous waste notify that they have ceased waste management activities, or that the amount of waste they handle has changed. Because the quality of the universe information varies, it is not appropriate to compare one state's data with another without knowing the accuracy of the data and details of the compliance monitoring program in each state. Although these numbers represent the active universe in the national database, RCRAInfo, the states may have more current information. Links to state environmental agency web sites may be found in the "Other Resources" box below each state dashboard.
Inspections
This section displays information about compliance monitoring activities at regulated facilities. On-site inspections, along with reviews of any information EPA or states require to be submitted, help EPA and states ensure that facilities obey environmental laws/regulations. This section focuses on how frequently regulated facilities are inspected by EPA and state environmental agencies.
| Report Title | Dashboard Shows |
|---|---|
| 1-yr inspection coverage - TSDFs | Bar chart displaying the percentage of operating Treatment, Storage, and Disposal facilities with one or more inspections (of types CEI, GME, and/or OAM) during the review period, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
| 1-yr inspection coverage - LQGs | Bar chart displaying the percentage of Large Quantity Generators from the most recently issued National Hazardous Waste Biennial Report with one or more inspections (of type CEI) during the review period, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
| 1-yr inspection coverage - SQGs | Bar chart displaying the percentage of active Small Quantity Generators with one or more on-site inspections during the review period, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
| Inspections at CESQGs | Bar chart displaying the count of active Conditionally-Exempt Small Quantity Generator with one or more on-site inspections during the review period, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
| Inspections at transporters | Bar chart displaying the count of active Transporters with one or more on-site inspections during the review period, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
| Inspections at non-notifiers | Bar chart displaying the count of active facilities that were inspected, at least in part, due to potentially not reporting the generation of hazardous waste with one or more on-site inspections during the review period, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
| Inspections at other sites | Bar chart displaying the count of facilities not counted in the other inspection metrics with one or more on-site inspections during the review period, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
Technical Information
RCRA requires that TSDFs be inspected at least every two year, while EPA policy requires that LQGs be inspected every five years (with 20% of universe inspected each year).
To meet the requirements, inspections at TSDFs must be RCRAInfo data system evaluation types CEI, GME, or OAM, while inspections at LQGs must be CEI. For other facility types, all "on-site" inspections are counted.
On-site inspections include the following RCRAInfo evaluation types:
- CAC - Corrective Action Compliance Evaluation
- CDI - Case Development Inspection
- CEI - Compliance Evaluation Inspection
- CSE - Compliance Schedule Evaluation
- FCI - Focused Compliance Inspection
- GME - Groundwater Monitoring Evaluation
- OAM - Operation and Maintenance Inspection
Violations
This section displays information about violations of environmental regulations noted at regulated facilities. This section focuses on how often violations are found.
| Report Title | Dashboard Shows |
|---|---|
| Violations found during inspections (CEI, FCI) | Bar chart displaying the percentage of sites with comprehensive inspections (of types CEI, FCI) during the review year in which one or more violations was found, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. The results can be displayed for All, Large (TSDFs and LQGs), or Other (all other) Facilities. |
| Rate inspections find violations | Bar chart displaying the percentage of on-site inspections that led to a violation determination during the review year, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
Technical Information
A violation at a facility means the facility has been noted as out of compliance with an environmental requirement set forth by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and its respective regulations. EPA learns of violations by several means, including regular reporting by the regulated facilities and EPA or state inspections. A violation may indicate that the facility released excessive pollutants, that a hazardous waste handling requirement was not met, or that a facility failed to submit a required report.
"Comprehensive inspections" for purposes of this dashboard are considered to be RCRAInfo evaluation types CEI and FCI. On-site inspections include the following RCRAInfo evaluation types:
- CAC - Corrective Action Compliance Evaluation
- CDI - Case Development Inspection
- CEI - Compliance Evaluation Inspection
- CSE - Compliance Schedule Evaluation
- FCI - Focused Compliance Inspection
- GME - Groundwater Monitoring Evaluation
- OAM - Operation and Maintenance Inspection
A user can interpret the data in several ways. For example, a state with a high non-compliance rate may have more stringent requirements than the federal program, or the state is actively identifying problems that need enforcement attention. A low non-compliance rate could mean that facilities within the state do a good job complying with the RCRA regulations so violations are not widespread, or it is possible that noncompliance is not properly identified or reported by the state.
Violation, noncompliance, significant noncompliance, high priority violation, and serious violator are all terms used by the ECHO site to describe the facility status in regard to compliance with the law. In many cases, these terms reflect determinations made by EPA or states when conducting inspections or reviewing facility self-reports. These determinations assist the government in tracking resolution of violations through the enforcement process and do not necessarily represent a final adjudication by a judicial or administrative body. In such cases, these characterizations should be considered alleged violations.
Serious Violators
This section displays information about serious violations of environmental regulations determined at regulated facilities. This section focuses on how often facilities are designated as serious violators (known as significant noncompliance or SNC).
| Report Title | Dashboard Shows |
|---|---|
| SNC identified after inspections (CEI, FCI) | Bar chart displaying the percentage of sites with comprehensive inspections (of types CEI, FCI) during the review year after which a designation of significant noncompliance was made, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. The results can be displayed for All, Large (TSDFs and LQGs), or Other (all other) Facilities. |
| Rate significant non-compliance is identified | Bar chart displaying the percentage of on-site inspections that led to a signification noncompliance determination during the review year, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. |
| Timeliness of SNC determinations | The percentage of significant noncompliance determinations made within 150 days of the first day of the inspection, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. The results can be displayed for All, Large (TSDFs and LQGs), or Other (all other) Facilities. |
Technical Information
The RCRA program uses the term Significant Noncompliance (SNC) to indicate facilities that have caused actual exposure or a substantial likelihood of exposure to hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents; are chronic or recalcitrant violators; or deviate substantially from the terms of a permit, order, agreement or from RCRA statutory or regulatory requirements. A determination to classify a site as a SNC is made using the guidelines set forth in the December 2003 Hazardous Waste Civil Enforcement Response Policy. The SNC is addressed by EPA/State through formal enforcement that mandates compliance and initiates an administrative or civil action that results in an enforceable agreement or order and imposes sanctions. Violations remain open in RCRAInfo until the facility returns to full physical compliance with the regulatory and/or statutory requirements.
According to the Enforcement Response Policy, a determination of whether a facility is an SNC must be made by 150 days after the first date of an inspection.
"Comprehensive inspections" for purposes of this dashboard are considered to be RCRAInfo evaluation types CEI and FCI. On-site inspections include the following RCRAInfo evaluation types:
- CAC - Corrective Action Compliance Evaluation
- CDI - Case Development Inspection
- CEI - Compliance Evaluation Inspection
- CSE - Compliance Schedule Evaluation
- FCI - Focused Compliance Inspection
- GME - Groundwater Monitoring Evaluation
- OAM - Operation and Maintenance Inspection
As with violations, a user can interpret the SNC data in several ways. A state with a high SNC rate may be actively identifying significant problems that need formal enforcement attention to achieve the desired result of returning a facility to compliance. A low SNC rate may mean the facilities within the state do a good job complying with the RCRA regulations so violations are not widespread, or it is possible that SNC is not properly identified or reported by the state. Information about EPA's evaluation of SNC discovery rates at states is available in individual State Review Framework reports.
Violation, noncompliance, significant noncompliance, and high priority violation are all terms used by the ECHO site to describe the facility status in regard to compliance with the law. In many cases, these terms reflect determinations made by EPA or states when conducting inspections or reviewing facility self-reports. These determinations assist the government in tracking resolution of violations through the enforcement process and do not necessarily represent a final adjudication by a judicial or administrative body. In such cases, these characterizations should be considered alleged violations.
Enforcement Actions
This section displays information about EPA and state enforcement activity at regulated facilities.
| Report Title | Dashboard Shows |
|---|---|
| Timely enforcement taken to address SNC | The percentage of review year and previous year significant noncompliance designations that were addressed within 360 days of the associated inspection, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Counts are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. The results can be displayed for All, Large (TSDFs and LQGs), or Other (all other) Facilities. |
Technical Information
If violations are detected during inspections or are reported to the government by regulated facilities, several paths may be taken to return a facility to compliance. In some situations, violations are minor. Many of these violations are corrected by the facility without the need for an enforcement action. Other violations may require an "informal" notice to the facility that an enforcement proceeding may occur if the violation is not quickly resolved. More serious or continuing violations that are not corrected quickly by the facility may warrant formal enforcement actions. This could include administrative orders, administrative penalty orders, or civil judicial cases filed in federal court.
Per the December 2003 Hazardous Waste Civil Enforcement Response Policy, RCRAInfo action types 200-219, 250-259, 300-319, 350-359, 380, 385, 400-519, 530-539, 560-589, 600-699, and 800-899 address significant noncompliance (SNC) and are counted in the above charts.
- 210 - Initial 3008(a) Compliance Order
- 250 - Field Citation
- 310 - Final 3008(a) Compliance Order
- 380 - Multi Site Super CA/FO
- 385 - Single Site Super CA/FO
- 410 - Referral to Attorney General
- 420 - Referral to Department of Justice
- 430 - Referral to District Attorney/City Attorney/County Attorney/State Attorney
- 510 - Initial Civil Judicial Action for Compliance and/or Monetary Penalty
- 530 - Initial Judicial Action for Corrective Action
- 610 - Final Civil Judicial Action for Compliance and/or Monetary Penalty
- 620 - Final Civil Action for Imminent and Substantial Endangerment
- 630 - Final Civil Judicial Action for Interim Corrective Action
- 810 - State to EPA Administrative Referral
- 820 - EPA to State Administrative Referral
- 830 - RCRA to CERCLA Administrative Referral
- 840 - EPA Regions to EPA HQ Administrative Referral
- 850 - Administrative Referrals to Other RCRA Programs
- 860 - Administrative Referrals to Other Programs
- 865 - Referral to U.S. Treasury
Note: The types of formal and informal actions listed above are nationally defined by EPA. Other actions within the number series are defined and maintained by EPA regions or state agencies.
According to the Enforcement Response Policy, 80 percent of SNCs must be addressed in a timely manner (by 360 days after the first day of the associated inspection). A ceiling of 20 percent per year that exceed this standard has been established for consideration of cases involving unique factors.
Penalties
This section displays information about penalties at regulated facilities that had alleged violations.
| Report Title | Dashboard Shows |
|---|---|
| Number of final formal actions with penalty | Bar chart displaying the number of final formal enforcement actions (which excludes the "initial" actions listed above) that had a penalty during the review year, with the "Lead Agency" split identified in separate bars. Results are displayed for the most recent 5 Fiscal Years. The results can be displayed for All, Large (TSDFs and LQGs), or Other (all other) Facilities. |
Technical Information
Civil administrative and judicial actions often end with a settlement, an agreed upon resolution to an enforcement case. Settlements in civil administrative actions are often in the form of Consent Agreements/Final Orders. Settlements in civil judicial actions are generally embodied in Consent Decrees, signed by all parties to the action and filed in the appropriate court. In the settlements, EPA or the state often requires injunctive relief (actions needed to return to compliance and correct environmental damage) and the payment of penalties. Settlements also may include Supplemental Environmental Projects, environmentally beneficial projects that a defendant/respondent agrees to undertake in settlement of an enforcement action, but which the defendant/respondent is not otherwise legally required to perform.
Penalty charts reflect the total dollar amount of final monetary penalties and supplemental environmental project credits (RCRAInfo penalty types FMP and SCR) for final formal enforcement actions with RCRAInfo action types 300-339, and 350-399, 600-699, and 730-739.
- 310 - Final 3008(a) Compliance Order
- 320 - Final Imminent Hazard Order
- 330 - Final Monitoring, Analysis, Test Order
- 380 - Multi Site Super CA/FO
- 385 - Single Site Super CA/FO
- 610 - Final Civil Judicial Action for Compliance and/or Monetary Penalty
- 620 - Final Civil Action for Imminent and Substantial Endangerment
- 630 - Final Civil Judicial Action for Interim Corrective Action
- 730 - Criminal Conviction
Note: The types of formal and informal actions listed above are nationally defined by EPA. Other actions within the number series are defined and maintained by EPA regions or state agencies.